I'm a big fan of the SKX series. $169.99 is a good price if you're looking for a hardworking automatic. treyking is right - Japanese versions, (J1 models which are manufactured in Japan) typically run more then the International or North American versions. Under $200.00 is a good price.

From what I've read, I'm in agreement with SpiritOne. I'm happy to be corrected, but the general consensus (which has been beaten to death in various watch forums) is that the SKX watches use the same parts and are manufactured in the same place. The only difference being some of the printing on the dials; certain regions of the world require the country of origin stated on there, or there are places where the law isn't as strict about country of manufacture, or something to that effect.

If it makes you happy and is worth the upcharge to you to have "Made in Japan" on the dial, then you should buy them. But realistically, there's no appreciable difference between the "J" and "K" versions of the same model watch. Cheers!

In an interesting twist, from what I understand the SKX models also aren't available for sale in Japan. Furthermore, Japanese sellers are essentially importing the watch into Japan before they sell it.

You folks are all absolutely correct. There is no mechanical, and barely any esthetic, difference between the varying models. J models are assembled in their plant in Japan. Both International (K) and North American versions are assembled at their plant in Malaysia - and the only difference with these two is in production quantities (building for NA market vs everywhere else on the planet) and that items sold in the US have to ID country of origin, hence Malaysia on the face and case back. It's the nuance in these details that interest certain buyers and can affect pricing.